Friday, June 3, 2011

0 to 100 in 6 Months


 I looked back the past 5 months and realized I’ve went from a 20 mile week to a 100 mile week.  Now my daily run is 15 miles, when it was my long run.  Since my brief running break the end of last year, it feels great to be back in ultra-running shape.  Unfortunately, my schedule has not giving my an opportunity to get a few 50K-50M races in this spring to test the legs, so going into my 1st big race this year will be interesting.
 On my long run last week I ran into two other runners at the trail head as we exchanged some small talk.  Then the young lady asked me what I was training for.  I said a race in OH called the Mohican.  She was from OH and had helped with one of the aid stations last year for this race.  She commented on how awesome the trails are in the Mohican area.  Wow – What a small world, and the coincidence of meeting them at that particular time was awesome.  I enjoyed the talk, and seeing them on the trail.  It’s not often I see other trail runners in this area.  Rare breed, unfortunately.
After the first 8 miles of my long run, the sky fell out and was faced with muddy wet trails the remaining of the day with crazy humidity.  I told myself to suck it up, and think of this as a gift, for this is how OH will be.  The last report I received on the Mohican trails was mud, mud, and more mud.
My daily and long runs last week I scheduled for the afternoons when the temps peaked out to get more acclimated to the heat and humidity.  Afterwards, I would sit in the sauna for 30 minutes to squeeze every drop of water out of my body – This was hard considering I was already baked in 98 deg temps for over 2 hours.  An easy 9 mpm pace felt like a 7 mpm pace with the heat.  Nevertheless, I felt good considering some of the other runners out there with me would run a short distance and then stop under a shady tree to cool down.
 Last week’s training:

Mon – 15M
Tues – 15M
Wed – 15M
Thurs – Off
Fri – 35M
Sat – 12M
Sun – 9M
 This is my last week of hard training before I start my brief two week taper.  More afternoon running in the heat, saunas, weights,…  I had a brief scare when midway into my daily run the other day my right leg IT band went nuts.  A pain I was all too familiar with a few years ago.  After playing all the mental games in my head (pushed it too hard, too many miles so quickly, messed your race up at the last minute,…), I walked it off for a half mile and resumed running with no problems.
 I saw this sign on the fort and had to stop and think about it for a minute with a heavy heart.  With Memorial Day this past weekend, I bowed my head and gave thanks for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today.  After all I’ve seen in other Countries, we truly live in the greatest place of all time.  What we think is poverty would be considered a huge step up for most.  Just to have access to a HS education would be considered a privilege most could only hope for.
 
To my fallen brothers in Beirut: Oct 23, 1983.  A day forever branded in my heart.

18 comments:

Cynthia said...

Wow congrats on some awesome mileage!
I have been looking into some local trail races. Maybe next year! There was a 50k and 50 mile race about 2 hours from where I live that I heard was tough but great course.

Char said...

I love those chance meetings with people that you have a tenuous link with.

What's with the snake picture? Was is another random meeting?

Johann said...

Your training is certainly going well and I'm sure you are ready for the race. Quite amazing that you met those people, small world indeed! I'm bummed about Comrades but luckily I've done it before and have many other goals to achieve this year. I can't wait to hammer the trails as you said!

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner said...

Amazing mileage for the week! I have been running longer and longer trail races and I get the appeal. Haven't tackled any trails longer than 13.1 mile, but sign me up. How perfect that you met someone familiar with the race!

watergirl said...

Love the pictures of the turtle and snake!

Sounds like you're putting in some solid mileage and in heat no less. I totally believe in using the sauna too. Can't wait to hear how well you do at the race!

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Wow, freaking awesome mileage, minus the snake, I hate snakes

Anonymous said...

Is that a snake there? Holy smokes!

I'm glad you're back in ultra shape- you've really been diligent with your training and it is paying off- very admirable!

Black Knight said...

I see you meet many nice friends during your trails: ladies, tortoises and ... snakes.
Your mileage improved a lot, congrats. I think you are ready for fast ultra races.

Jill said...

Is that a rattle snake? Yikes!

Sounds really nice running into some other runners for a nice change. And nice job working yourself up to ultra shape...I can't wait to get into decent shape after my little (long) hiatus, too!

Happy June!

Anonymous said...

Your posts always inspire me, Tom. Very interesting how you distribute the miles throughout the week. Do you follow a training plan or do you go by "instinct"?

Your pics are fun! Guess the snake didn't scare you at all:-))

Lindsay said...

i saw a black snake on a trail run yesterday and freaked, even though i told myself it was the harmless kind... it didn't work.

you make it seem so easy to ramp up to 100mi weeks!

Hone said...

Have fun at the race. Run the steeps and walk the downs. That is what I always do.

Also you are right about how lucky we are to live in a time and place that we do. My father is a retired AF officer and so love of country was shown to me at a young age. Gotta love everyone that has sacrificed for our behalf. God bless our troops.

MARILENE said...

The trails are beautiful and accurate but a lot of energy to walk so much !!!!! Just for Athletes (rss).

Olga said...

Was that a rattler? Ouch!!
Thomas, you are ready, remember, even my step-son figured it out, it's all in your mind. Be wise, pace, fuel, hydrate, and enjoy. When time comes - push! Mohigan does have sweet single track. I shoudl have picked that one:)

chris mcpeake said...

great mileage, I am sure you will do great.
May see you at the race as I am headed down there with a couple of other ultra guys from Toronto. Should be fun

sports fan said...

Hi, I came across your site and wasn’t able to get an email address to contact you. Would you please consider adding a link to my website on your page. We are happy to offer you a 10% discount to our Online Store if you do so. Please email me back and I would be happy to give you our link.

Thanks!

Frank
frank641w@gmail.com

Ronda said...

Kick butt at Mohican! You are truly ready. Those temperatures are blistering. Awesome training. You are so dedicated and I love reading how you get it all done. That snake would have sent me back to my car for months!

Don't fight the mud just ski and slide in it :)

Being born in America is like winning the lottery!

Olga said...

How was it?